Hi folks,

We are looking for a blue 1988 Toyota van, WA license 465MGP. It was last seen in Tacoma on Saturday, February 15th about 8:00pm. At the time it was stolen, it had a big (32" wide) sticker on the back hatch (between the window and license plate) that said "SalmonUniversity.com" in white and blue letters. Some other distinguishing characteristics are that it had black Yakima roof racks on it, it is a four wheel drive van (says FWD on it) and some of the rear windows are tinted.

As many of you may know, I'm the webmaster for the Salmon University web site. Last night, after our day-long SU class in Tacoma, a group of us went out to dinner. During the hour and a half we were in the restaurant, my girlfriend's van was stolen from the restaurant parking lot, along with all the stuff that was in it, like boxes of SU T-shirts and SU hats, all of our pictures, and many other items.

If you live in the Tacoma area and you see this van, please call the Tacoma Police Department immediately (253-591-5950) and report it. We do not live in Tacoma, and the van is still missing, so if you see it in Tacoma, it's either been dumped there or someone is still using it. I will re-post here when and if the van is recovered.

The van was stolen from the parking lot of the "I Love Bentos" Japanese restaurant at 1620 South Mildred Street in Tacoma. This is across the street from the Tacoma Community College.

If you do hear or see anything, please call the cops to report it, and then AFTER you've called the cops, if you could please email me at norm@salmonuniversity.com to let me know as well, that would be great.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
-Norm.

I'm from Tacoma. I'll keep an eye out Stormin!

Sorry to hear of your misfortune.


FJ...out.

Stormin, after my truck was stolen from Federal Way it was found just off of Portland Ave. You may want to take a look around there.

Thanks guys, for the help.

Last night and this morning, we took a look around where it was stolen, to no avail. There are so many back roads and apartment complexes right there, it's pretty bad. I don't know the area very well, I don't know where Portland Ave. is, and we live out on the Peninsula, so I figure the more eyes out there looking for it, the better.

I should also mention that if you see or hear of anyone selling Salmon University shirts or hats, please let me know, norm@salmonuniversity.com because we are (were) the only source of those items, before our inventory was stolen along with the van last night...

Thanks again!
-N.

Portland Ave. is a major Tacoma thoroughfare. There is even an exit for Portland Ave off of I-5.

I will keep an eye out for your van.

StorminN, I've had 2 vehicles stolen, 1 at a Sonics game about 12 yrs. ago that was recovered that night with only minor damage. The second was stolen about 8 yrs. ago from the apt. complex I lived in in Federal Way, it was stolen on a Sun. night and driven to a school parking lot (ironically off Portland ave. in Tacoma) where it sat until Fri before the school finally decided to report it . I was glad to get both back with relatively minor damage but had to pay $150 both times to get them out of impound.

Don't give up hope, it doesn't sound like a vehicle that would be stolen for parts, probably some low-life scum needed to get from point A to point B and will probably be recovered, lets hope anyways.

Sorry guys, like I said, I don't know the Tacoma area at all, I've only been there to go to the Dome, the boat launch or go to the TOA. Now that you say it, I seem to remember that exit off of I-5.

I haven't given up hope, it's an older vehicle and I'm pretty sure it was not stolen for parts, though it is a four wheel drive, and those are rare. What I have given up hope for is all the stuff in it... time will tell.

Keep a look out for it!

Thanks,
-N.

Stormin
Will keep a look out for you I know what its like, had a car stolen years ago and I felt violated. Bad part was they found the piece of crap 1 week before the wife was going to allow me to buy a new one.

Good luck.
Kfm

My son's first two cars were Toyotas; an early 80's Corolla and a van approximately the same vintage as yours. BOTH were stolen off Seattle streets in broad daylight. Our Camry was taken from a school parking lot. All of the cars were recovered, basically intact. Three men were arrested while driving our stolen Camry, and in spite of the fact they had eighteen priors between them, and drugs in their possession, only one went to jail. He served 38 days after pleading guilty to taking a motor vehicle without permission. A friend's van was taken when she went into McDonald's for some fast food. The thieves were faster than the counter help. Her van was recovered weeks later. It had been used as a mobile meth lab. Perps went to jail in that case, and they were ordered to pay restitution. Their attorney told my friend she would never see a cent of that money, and that is exactly what has happened. Hope you get your van back. Odds are you will. If the thieves are arrested, the most likely outcome will be the police will get an updated booking photo. Good luck. I'll watch for your stuff at the Midway swap meet.

when i got my truck stolen in 96' i found it down by owens beach..the police would of never found it...it was in a private lot....

Hi folks,

Here's the only picture of the missing van that I could find so far...





Thanks in advance for any help.
-N.

There has still been no sign of our van, so if you see anything let the police & us know...

Thanks,
-N.

I went, yesterday, and drove up Portland Ave. I had forgotten how much that area is the armpit of the world. If is really bad! I did not see your van any where. But then again, I did not turn down any side streets because I was in fear for my life and I did not have my sidearm with me.

Go and check it out if you get a chance. Lock and load.

Hi folks,

Our SU van has been located in Tacoma, only about 3 miles from where it was stolen. It is currently enroute back to the Peninsula on the back of a flatbed, we're not sure of the condition of the vehicle, but we're told that there is nothing left in the back of the van, so it sounds like we've been completely wiped out. A word to the wise, read the fine print on all of your insurance documents... more on this later...

A homeowner noticed the van parked in front of his house with the radio ripped out and the window open, that's what tipped him off.

I'll post an update tomorrow, thanks for everyone's help and kind words.

-N.

Good to hear you got your van back!

Good to hear you got the van back. sorry to hear everything was missing.

As far as the fine print goes, auto comp. should cover the damage to the van. Your home owners should cover all that is not related to the vehicle.